Campaign urges young people to speak up about violence

A new campaign is encouraging young people to speak up about violence and weapon possession, reminding them that good friends speak out to prevent harm.

The initiative led by Fearless – the youth service of the charity Crimestoppers – was developed in collaboration with young people who have lived experience of violence.

It focuses on the four key reasons young people say they often carry weapons: protection, power or status, the desire to be part of something and coercion.

The charity has created a series of short videos, each featuring the perspective of a friend who regrets not speaking up when they knew someone was carrying a weapon before it was used.

The videos will feature on Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok, and aim to inspire young people to recognise that true friends speak up to prevent harm before it happens.

Young people who have been in conflict with the law and are now supported by the VOW Project were involved in the scheme, as well as young people from Police Scotland Youth Volunteers (PSYV) Dundee and Fearless volunteers from across Scotland.

Lyndsay McDade, Fearless Scotland manager at Crimestoppers, said: “Young people are most likely to engage with content on social media that they recognise as being authentic; that’s why it was so brilliant to work with the staff and young people at the VOW Project on this campaign.

“They brought a first-hand understanding of youth violence and were able to really guide our content and production, even using their voices on the finished videos.

“It’s vital that young people are aware that they can speak up about crime 100% anonymously to our charity. When you contact Fearless.org, you can tell us who carries a weapon. We can’t track your IP address or any contact details that could identify you.

“It might seem hard to speak up if you know a friend is carrying a weapon, but it’s far harder to live with the consequences of them using it. Remember – good mates speak up.”

One of those involved in the campaign, a 16-year-old boy now supported by the VOW Project, said: “See the violence with young people; it’s absurd right now.

“I was once in a position, not that long ago, where this was my life, and I want to let people know that things can change. It doesn’t need to be this way.”

The campaign – Silence won’t stop Violence – comes after new research from Young Scot and Police Scotland, published last week, found 70% of young people in Scotland have concerns about safety, with those in lower-income areas feeling more vulnerable.

Sergeant Valerie Gray, of Police Scotland, said: “We are proud to hear directly from some of the young people working with Edinburgh division’s VOW team, who are focused on intervention and diversion, in this campaign.

“It is a reminder of how far they have come and highlights the work that Fearless do. The young people greatly benefited from the opportunity and their confidence visibly grew throughout their involvement in the campaign.

“We will continue to support Fearless projects to help ensure young people understand the harm criminality can cause to their lives and how they can help themselves, and others, before crime impacts their futures.”

The campaign is supported by Network Rail Scotland.

Innis Keith, health, safety, and environment director at Network Rail Scotland, said: “Everyone deserves to feel safe travelling on Scotland’s railway, which is why it’s so important we support initiatives like this.

“Young people regularly travel by train for school, work or meeting friends, and so stations will serve as a vital way to reach them with this campaign.

“We will continue working with Fearless, alongside partners at the British Transport Police and ScotRail, encouraging young people to speak out against violence with confidence.”

Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.